November 1754

Friday, 15. The Right Hon. the house of peers presented their address of thanks for his majesty’s speech.

The Upper House of Convocation met in the Chapter-house, and went in procession, with the advocates and proctors, to the west door of St. Paul’s, where they were met by the Lower House, and the gentlemen of the choir; and being come into the stalls, the Litany was read in Latin by the bishop of Chichesler, the junior bishop; after which the Rev. Dr. Plumptree, archdeacon of Ely, preached the Latin sermon. The Rev. Dr. Denne, archdeacon of Rochester, was chosen prolocutor for the Lower House of Convocation. His grace the archbishop of Canterbury was not present, but had appointed the bishops of Oxford, Ely, Salisbury, Bangor, Norwich, and St. David’s, commissaries to represent him.

Came on to be argued in the court of King’s-bench, a question which had been long depending there, concerning the right of John Gibbon, of Abbotsbury, (who was one of the witnesses for Mary Squires upon her trial for the pretended robbery of Elizabeth Canning) to his action against Mr. Miles, and others, for falsely imprisoning him upon suspicion of perjury; when the court gave judgment in favour of Mr. Gibbon.

Monday, 18. The Hon. house of commons presented their humble address to the king.

Was tried at the bar of the court of King’s-bench, the long expected indictment against Edward Spelman, of High-House, in Norfolk, Esq; for a forgery pretended to have been committed by him in the year 1741, of a paper writing or defeazance, bearing date so long ago as the year 1709, with intent to defraudHugh Naish, the prosecutor, of 37,000land upwards; when, after a trial of about four hours, the defendant, without calling one witness, was acquitted on the prosecutor’s own evidence.

Marriages and Births

Nov. 15. Lord chancellor of Ireland, to lady dowager Ross

Right Hon. William Pitt, Esq; paymaster of the forces, to lady Rachel Grenville, sister lo the earl Temple.

Philip Howard, of Colby Castle, in Cumberland, Esq; to Miss Withum, of Cliffe, in Yorkshire.

Mr. Abraham Gooding, of Hide-street, St. Giles’s, to Miss Polly Barbott, of

Bath, a 12.000I. fortune.

Dr. Stonehouse of Northampton, to Miss Ekins, of Chester, in Northamptonshire.

Oct. 5. The dutchess of Savoy delivered of a prince, who was baptized the same day, by the name of Amadeus Alexander Marius, and has the title of dukeof Montserrat.

Nov. 1. The lady of lord visc. Middleton, delivered of a son and heir.

Deaths

Nov. 16 Rev. Dr. Bullock, prebendary of Westminster, rector of Stretham in Surrey, and vicar of Christ Church in Newgate Street.

Nov. 20 Hon. Charles Russell, Esq. col. of a regiment of foot, now at Minorca.

Nov. 22 Rev. Mr. Nicholson, vicar of Sawbridgeworth and Matching, and lecturer of St. Sepulchre’s.

Thursday, Nov. 7. About five o’clock this morning, a most terrible fire broke out in St. Werburgh’s church, Dublin, which in a few hours entirely consumed that fine fabrick, nothing being preserved from the conflagration but the steeple and vestry, all the body of the church being quite destroyed. During the time of the fire there was a very high wind at S. W. which put all the houses on the south side of Castle-street in the most imminent danger: Some of them took fire, particularly the back part of the Exchequer-office, and the house adjoining; but two engines being brought to play on the houses, prevented any further damage.

Friday, Nov. 8 The Rt. Hon. the lord-mayor, attended by the several aldermen above the chair, preceded by the court of assistants of the Grocers company, went in procession from the Mansion-house to Guildhall; and soon after, the Right Hon. Stephen Theodore Janssen, Esq; lord-mayor elect, attended by the aldermen below the chair, and preceded by the court of assistants of the company of Stationers, came from thence to Guildhall, where the lord-mayor elect was sworn into his high office, and the city regalia were delivered to him with the usual formality.

Saturday, Nov. 9 The Right Hon. Stephen Theodore Janssen, Esq; the new lord mayor, was sworn in at Westminster with the usual solemnity.

His majesty and the royal family came from Kensington to St. James’s, to reside there during the winter.

A great quantity of warlike stores were sent from the Tower on board the Isabella and Mary, for Virginia.

Sunday, Nov. 10 The anniversary of his majesty’s birthday was celebrated, who then entered into the 72d year of his age.

Tuesday, Nov. 12 Came on at the King’s-bench bar, Westminster, the great cause about the roads in Richmond park, before the lord chief justice Rider, Mr. justice Foster, and Mr. justice Denison; Mr. justice Wright being absent, having an inflammation in his eyes. The court did not break up till near one o’clock the next morning, and then adjourned to ten: Accordingly the trial began again at 11 on Wednesday, and continued till about half an hour after seven, when tie jury withdrew for upwards of an hour, and then brought in the defendant, Not Guilty. It was upon an indictment, the king (in behalf of the inhabitants of Richmond) against Deborah Burgess, gatekeeper, for an obstruction of the highway, for carriages, horsemen, and foot people; which being all laid in one count in the indictment, the jury were obliged either to find Guilty, or Not Guilty. The counsel for the defendant, were the attorney-general, solicitor-general, Mr. Hume Campbell, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Luke Robinson, and Mr. Bishop. For the inhabitants of Richmond, Mr. Starkie, Sir John Phillips, Bart. Mr. Crowle, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Parrot, Mr. Beckford, Mr. Moreton, and Mr. Clarke.

Thursday, Nov. 14 His majesty went in the usual state to the house of peers, and, the commons being sent for attending, opened the session of parliament with a most gracious speech to both houses.

Substance of his majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 1754.

His majesty first acquaints both houses, that it was with great pleasure he met them in parliament, at a time, when the late elections had afforded his people an opportunity of giving fresh proofs of their duty and affection to his person and government, in choice of their representatives.

That the general state of affairs in Europe had received very little alteration since their last meeting. But he had the satisfaction to acquaint them, that he had lately received the strongest assurances from his good brother the king of Spain, of his firm resolution to cultivate friendship and confidence with him, with reciprocal acts of harmony and good faith; and that he will persevere in these sentiments. That it shall be his principal view, as well to strengthen the foundations, and secure the duration of general peace, as to improve the present advantages of it, for promoting trade of his good subjects, and protecting those possessions which make one great source of our commerce and wealth.

That the plan formed by the last parliament for appropriating the forfeited estates in the Highlands to the publick benefit, appeared to be of such national importance, that he was persuaded they would not omit any proper opportunity of compleating it. And he also recommends it to them, to make such further provisions, as may be expedient for perpetuating the due execution of laws, and the just authority of his government, in that part of the united kingdom.

Then he tells the house of commons, that he had ordered the estimates for the ensuing year to be prepared and laid before them. That the supplies he had to ask of them, were such as should be necessary for the ordinary services; for the execution of such treaties as had been communicated to them, for consolidating and maintaining that system of tranquility, which was his great object; and, at the same time, for securing ourselves against any encroachments.

That the gradual reduction of the national debt, which had been so wisely and successfully begun, would, he made no doubt, have their serious and constant attention.

After which, speaking to both houses, he concludes thus: “It is unnecessary for me to use any arguments to press upon you unanimity, and dispatch in your proceedings. I have had such an experience of the fidelity, zeal, and good disposition of my parliaments, during the course of my reign, that I trust there is a mutual confidence established between us; the surest pledge of my own, and my people’s happiness.

Marriages and Births

Nov. 12 Thomas Partridge, of Stratford in Essex, Esq. to Miss Clark of the same place.

Deaths

Nov. 14 Thomas White, Esq. clerk of the errors in the court of Common-Pleas.

Henry Broadhead, Esq. brewer in St. Giles’s, and in the commission of the peace.

Foreign Affairs

Since our last we have had the following further particular relating to the late dreadful earthquake at Constantinople, viz. That about nine o’clock in the evening, on the second of September, came on the most dreadful storm of thunder that ever was known in that place. The peals succeeded one another without an interval of above a minute, excepting one intermission about the middle of the storm, till three quarters past ten. During this short intermission, and the stars sparkling with the most perfect brightness, suddenly the earthquake began, everything at once became wrapped in darkness, and convulsions of the earth beneath, bursting thunders above, falling buildings, shrieks of the terrified, and groans of the expiring on every side, led such a scene of horror and confusion, as no description can represent, nor imagination reach. The crush of nature, and the wreck of worlds, seemed instant. Two of the famous seven towers were demolished, many minerets thrown down, and mosques damaged (particularly the much admired one of Saint Sophia) whole streets laid in ruins, and the common prison entirely destroyed, with the greatest part of its unfortunate inhabitants. The persons killed are computed at betwixt 2 and 3000. The shocks, tho’ less severely, were felt as far as Smyrna; and a Tartar, who arrived express in 15 days from Armenia, just before this account left Constantinople, brought intelligence, that a large city, at that distance, had been entirely swallowed up by an earthquake on the very same day, and the place where it stood converted into an entire lake of water.

November 1754

Witehaven, Oct. 16. The running trade from the Isle of Man, which has been carried on for many years with great success, is now arrived to a greater height on this coast than ever was known: A gang of smugglers came lately into this town, about 11 at night, with several cart loads of run goods, and so well armed that, I believe, if our officers had known of their coming, they durst not have faced them; they catched a boat lately from that island coming into their very harbour, with brandy and tea, and seized her and her cargo; and the captain of the Custom-house sloop the other day met with a large one, laden from thence with brandy, rum, wine, tea, and tobacco, which he seized and carried to Kirkcudbright. We frequently see from our hills these mens smuggling boats go up this channel, laden in fleets of 10 or 12, or more, tho’ scarce one in a hundred is taken. I hear from that island, that the merchants there have now such large quantities by them of all manner of high duty goods, to be run into Great-Britain and Ireland, that they have not warehouse room, and the brandy lies out of doors. It is computed by good judges, that at least 200I. a week goes (exclusive of all other parts) out of this town and neighbourhood, to that island, for goods run from thence, about a 4th of which from remains there, and the rest sent over to our good friends the French; for they tell me, that run brandy is so plentiful in Scotland, and all over this country, that it will not go off at the Custom-house sales, tho’ put up at no higher price than the duties. In short, if nothing is done to prevent this trade from that island, we shall soon have no money lest here to pay either the land-tax, or the other inland duties; for as to the Custom-house, it may be shut up.

York, Nov. 5. Yesterday se’nnight a sudden inundation of the river Rye happened at Helmsley in this county, such as hath never been known by the oldest people in those parts, probably occasioned by the late heavy rains. Two houses were entirely washed away, the one in-habited by James Holdforth; he and his whole family drowned, except his wife, who being sick in her bed, was carried down the stream half a mile, and at last washed off into a field, where she was found the next morning, and is still living. The other house belonged to John Sunley, who was also drowned, and all his family: In the whole 13 persons. Two other houses were greatly damaged, as Was also the stone bridge at the entrance of the town; 14 hay-stacks were driven down the river a mile, on one of which was a half year old calf, who kept its footing, and was taken off alive. The kitchen-garden walls, and part of those of the park, belonging to the fine seat of Thomas Duncombe, Esq; were washed away. Two large bridges, one of stone, the other of wood, at Rivaulx, driven down, as were several more lying upon the river Rye, and others damaged. A malt-kiln, with a large quantity of malt and cinders at Rivaulx, belonging to Robert Berry, were utterly destroyed. The water formed a vent for itself, by forcing thro’ the wall of his kitchen, which prevented the house from being drove down; the man and his family saved their lives by getting up into the chambers. There hath also been terrible havock made among the inhabitants at Rivaulx as well as at Helmsley, by damaging of houses and drowning of cattle. One Simpson, a farmer at Rivaulx, had seven calves drowned; and Robert Sandwich’s tan-yard, at Helmsley, was utterly destroyed, and leather washed away out of the pits to a great value. The river Derwent was never known higher in the memory of man. On Monday night Mr. Creaser, of Ferby, near Malton, was drowned near Westow, in his return home from Pocklington fair. Thirsk bridge is entirely washed away, and the inhabitants have suffered great damage, but no lives lost.

Great complaints having been made to one of the most considerable trading companies in the world, of their cloth not answering in goodness to the contract, the court of directors took that affair under their consideration; but first ordered all the cloth for the service of the current year to be sent in by the contractors. The proper persons were then ordered to inspect them, and, upon examination, 1900 pieces out of 4000, sent in by one per on, were found to be deficient; and likewise some from all the other persons. This being reported to the court, one of the members moved, that a standing order relating to persons not coming op to their contracts made with that company, should be read, which directs, that such persons should forever afterwards be rendered incapable of serving that company; and several such defaulters were accordingly declared incapable of serving that company for the future.

Marriages and Births

Oct. 31. Marmaduke Wynn, of Northumberland, Esq; to Miss Rebecca Darlington, of the bishoprick of Durham, a 10,000I. fortune.

Mr. Duvill, one of the pages to the princess of Wales, and agent to the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, to Miss Soleirol.

Nov. 1, Mr. Lempriere, of Hatton-Garden, to Miss Tonson.

Thomas Haggerston, Esq; eldest son of Sir Carnaby Haggerston, of Northumberland, Bart, to Miss Silvertop, of same county.

Deaths

Oct. 8 Henry Fielding, Esq; in the commission of the peace for Middlesex, at Lisbon, whither he went for the recovery of his health.

Oct. 15. Sir Robert Sinclair, of Stevenson, Bart, in Scotland.

Oct. 26. Sir Thomas Clarke. Bart, who for many years represented the borough of Hertford in parliament.

Rev. and worshipful George Jordan, chancellor of the diocese of Chichester, chancellor of the diocese Chichester.

Rev. Mr. Peter Finch, on his 92d birth day, who had been minister to a dissenting congregation at Norwich above 60 years.

Oct. 29 Mr. Francis Salvadore, a very eminent Jew merchant.

Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson, daughter of Sir Archibald Stevenson, physician to king Charles II. and widow of the famous Dr. Archibald Pitcairn, whom she outlived 41 years.

Nov. 1 Mr. James Roberts an eminent printer and publisher, in the 83d year of his age. He had been formerly master of the worshipful company of Stationers for four years successively. The following epitaph was wrote on his death.

Let some by heralds blazon’d shine,

And backwards trace their ancient line;

From heaps of gold let others raise

A monument of flatt’ring praise;

Let others boast their pomp and state,

Of merit void, ignobly great:

One truth, o’er these remains below

Inscrib’d, more honour will bestow,

Than lineage, wealth, or grandeur can;

“Here lies interr’d an honest man.”

Nov. 2 Right Hon. Brownlow Cecil, earl of Exeter, ranger and warden of the East bailiwick in Rockingham forest. He is succeeded by his eldest son, Brownlow lord Burleigh, member of parliament for Rutlandshire, now earl of Exeter.

Nov. 4 Mr. Thomas Powell, timber-merchant in Thames-street, and one of thecommon- council men of Castlebaynard ward.

Capt. Wilkinson, agent to the first reg. of foot-guards, the Scotch Greys, &c.

Sir Edward Mansell, Bart, at his seat Trimfarren, in Carmarthenshire; succeeded by his son, now Sir Edward

October 1754

Monday October 28 The sessions ended at the Old-Bailey, when the fix following malefactors received sentence of death, viz. Charles Fleming, for robbing a gentleman of a gold watch near Harrow; William Cottum, for stealing a gelding; Thomas James, for picking a gentleman’s pocket of a handkerchief; John Massey, for housebreaking ; Lyonell Ricolus, for stealing a silver tankard; and Thomas Rols for robbing Mrs. Turton of five shillings near Newington-Green.

October 1754

Saturday, October 19 About two this afternoon, a place called the Dust-house, belonging to Mr.Norman’s gunpowder mill, at Moulsey, in Surrey, blew up, and killed one man, who was barrelling up the gunpowder. It is reckoned there were about 30 barrels of powder in the store-room, each barrel containing about 100 lb. weight. The building was blown into thousands of pieces, and carried a great way; the poor man’s body was torn into so many pieces, there was no finding them, or half his bones. Seven or eight great elms, that stood near this room, were tore up by the roots, and many others shattered, and several adjacent buildings terribly tore; a building about 30 yards from it, which contained about the same quantity of gunpowder, had its roof beat in, and a man at work received a slight blow on the back of his neck, by a piece of timber, but the powder remained safe. The windows of several neighbouring houses were broke, and some of the tiles blown off the houses at some distance, by the force of the shock. The houses for many miles about were shaken by the explosion.

The grand jury for Westminster presented the editor and publisher of the late lord Bolingbroke’s works.

Orders were given, about this time, for a captain, four lieutenants, and 60 bombardiers and matrosses, to hold themselves ready to embark from Woolwich, in order to join the forces destined for Virginia.

Sunday, 20 This morning, about seven o’clock, a fire broke out in the upper part of a very large warehouse in Montague-Close, near St. Mary Overy’s church, Southwark, which entirely destroyed the same, and very large quantity of hops, which were in the same warehouse, and damaged several of the adjacent houses. There were a party of soldiers to keep off the mob, and the fire was in a great measure suppressed about noon. The inhabitants near St. Mary Overy’s church were in so great confusion, that divine service was not performed there in the morning.

On Nov. 28, 1753, the French made an attempt to take Trichenopoli (by surprize) a strong place belonging to the Nabob, in which was a garrison commanded by Capt. Kilpatrick. They made the attack about four that morning with 800 Europeans. Their Black forces were to make several false attacks on different parts of the town: By the darkness of the night, and the carelessness of a guard, they got over the ditch, fixed their ladders and 600 of them, without firing a shot, got possession of a battery on the outward wall, called Dalton’s Battery. By this time an accidental shot or two alarmed the garrison, who immediately repaired to their posts, and attacked the party on the battery, who defended themselves till day light, and made several attempts to scale the inward wall and petard the gate, but were kept off by the garrison. By day-break, those that did not choose to venture their necks by jumping off the battery to save themselves, called out for quarter, which was given them. There were taken on the battery 293 Europeans prisoners, besides 65 wounded, and 42 killed in the ditch, and nine officers; the rest of their loss was not known, but it was believed must have been pretty considerable. In this action the garrison had scarce any loss. From the time of the before mentioned action until the middle of February following, nothing material happened, when Col. Lawrence, who was then encamped near Trichenopoli, was obliged, according to custom, to send a party to escort provisions to the camp, consisting of 230 Europeans, eight officers, about 500 Seapoys, and four pieces of cannon. They marched on, Feb. 12, and on their return upon the 15th, were attacked by a party, of the enemy, consisting of 120 French, two companies of foreigners, the French troop of 100 men, 1000 Topasses, 6000 Seapoys, all their Black cavalry, in number about 8000, and seven pieces of cannon. This detachment moved in the night, and came up with Col. Lawrence’s detached party by break of day, as they, were on their march. What men could do, they did; but the commanding officer, unfortunately afraid of losing his baggage, divided his force to save it upon which they enemy fell in amongst them, and, although they paid dearly for it, killed or took prisoners almost the whole army.

Deaths

20th Wilbraham Tufton, Esq; only surviving brother of the late earl of Thanet.

The lady of the Rt. Hon. the lord chief baron Parker.

Earl of Drumlanrig, eldest son to the duke of Queensberry. He was on his journey from Scotland, with the duke his father, in one post-chaise, and the dutchess, his mother with lady Drumlanrig in another; and being tired with riding in the chaise got on horseback, soon after which his pistol accidentally went off, and killed him on the spot.

23d Daniel Sadler, Esq; chief clerk in the annuity Pell-office, and one of the oldest clerks in the Exchequer.

New-York, July 29. On the 16th instant our lieutenant governor arrived here from Albany, having settled matters to the entire satisfaction of all the different nations of the Indians that attended the congress at that place. And the next day the commissioners from Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia, with several others, arrived here from the fame place. From whence we learn, that at the said congress, the commissioners from the several governments were unanimously of opinion, that an union of the colonies was absolutely necessary; and a plan of union was accordingly drawn up by the said commissioners, in order to be laid before their respective constituents.

Richard Beckford, Esq; member of parliament for Bristol, and brother to William Beckford, Esq; alderman of Billingsgate Ward, and one of the representatives of this city, was elected alderman of Farringdon-Ward Without, in the room of Sir Richard Hoare, Knt. deceased.

Marriages and Births

Oct 16. Henry Drax, Esq; to the Hon. Miss St. John, daughter of the Rt. Hon. lord St. John, of Bletsho.

Oct. 17. John Cramer, Esq; nephew to the lord visc. Lanesborough, in Ireland, to Miss Hort, daughter to the late archbishop of Tuam, and niece to the earl of Shelburn.

Plays and Entertainments acted at both THEATRES.

Drury Lane

Oct. 1. Richard the Third, Anatomist.

Oct. 3. Stratagem, Chaplet

Oct. 5 Conscious Lovers, Englishman in Paris.

Oct. 8 Revenge, Ditto.

Oct. 10 Henry VIII. Act. II. Sch. Of Anacreon.

Oct. 11 Romeo and Juliet, Funeral Procession.

Oct. 12 Love Makes a Man, Intriguing Chambermaid

Oct. 14 Beggar’s Opera, Lying Valet

Oct. 15 Ditto

Oct. 16 Hamlet

Oct. 17 Recruiting Officer, Englishman in Paris.

Oct. 18 Relapse, Fortunatus.

Oct. 19 Beggars Opera, Ditto.

Oct. 21Orphan, Intriguing Chambermaid.

Oct. 22 Busy Body

Oct. 23 Way of the World,

Oct. 24 Richard the Third, Anatomist

Oct. 25 Drummer

Oct. 26 Romeo and Juliet, Funeral Procession.

Oct. 28 Drummer, Fortunatus.

Oct. 29. Distress’d Mother, Ditto.

Oct. 30 Every Man in his Humour, Chaplet.

Covent-Garden.

Oct. 2 Funeral, Double Disappointment.

Oct. 4 Suspicious Husband, Lover his own Riv.

Oct. 7 She Wou’d and She Wou’d Not, Damon and Phillida.

Oct. 9 Committee, King and the Miller.

Oct. 11 Mister, Lottery

Oct. 14 Old Bachelor, The Knights.

Oct. 15 Inconstant, School Boy

Oct. 16 Provok’d Husband, Ditto

Oct. 17 Volpone, What D’ye Call It.

Oct. 18 Othello, Contrivances.

Oct. 19 Ditto, Damon and Phillida.

Oct. 21, Ditto, Devil to Pay.

Oct. 22 Nonjuror, School-Boy.

Oct. 23 Ditto, Miss in her Teens,

Oct. 24 Hamlet

Oct. 25 Funeral, Miss in her Teens.

Oct. 26 Richard the Third, Double Disappointment

Oct. 28 Provok’d Husband, Lover in his own Riv.

Oct. 29 Love’s Last Shift, Virgin Unmask’d

Oct. 30 Merchant of Venice, Ditto

Extract from a Letter from Constantinople.

Dated Sept. 16.

On the 2d instant, about a quarter before ten at night, we bad the most terrible shock of an earthquake which I ever felt in this place, though I have resided here for many years. It was scarce inferior to that at Smyrna, March 24. 1739. and has done great damage in different quarters of the town, viz. Four of the seven towers, the vizir han, and many houses, with all the turrets on thewalls of the city, are shattered; the sickirgi han, the cupolas of the portico of Sultan Mahomet Giami, a bagnio, the prison of Galata, seven minorets, and some houses in the Pralat, are entirely thrown down. Some say 2000 persons perished in the ruins, others make them only 900, and others again reduce the number to 50 or so: But though I have been at some pains, I have not been able to come at any precision in this particular. We have had frequent small shocks every 24 hours since; and on the 6th, about nine at night, we had such a peal of thunder as I never heard in any country. It began at the west, and went on gradually to the N. E. for an hour and half without intermission; and when it was over about half an hour past ten, the heavens were quite serene and clear. On this occasion none of the Europeans have suffered, either in their persons, houses, or magazines.

October 1754

Oct. 6 The court went into mourning for three weeks, for the death of the queen dowager of Portugal.

Oct. 7 Great damage was done to the shipping by a storm of wind, which arose about midnight, and the wind’s blowing hard for some days after. A large ship, laden with iron and deals from Stockholm, ran aground at Orford-Ness, and was beat to pieces by the rage of the sea; but the crew were happily saved.

His majesty having been pleased to direct, that the following officers appointed to the regiments of foot to be raised in America, under the respective commands of col. William Shirley, and Sir William Pepperell, Bart. do repair forthwith to their posts. Notice is given, that such of the above officers who are in Great Britain, do immediately repair to London, and embark on board the transports provided for their passage to North America. And that such of those officers who are in Ireland, do immediately repair to Cork, and embark on board the transports provided for carrying Sir Peter Halkett’s and col. Dunbar’s regiments to America.

Oct. 10 A court of common-council was held at Guildhall, when the report of the bridge committee being taken into consideration, a motion was made, and carried, for referring it back to the said committee, to examine how far the construction of a new bridge over the Thames may affect the navigation of the river and the commerce of the city.

A fire broke out at Larling, in Norfolk, which entirely consumed two houses, and two women were unfortunately burnt to death in endeavouring to save their furniture.

Oct. 11 We had the melancholy account that two vessels from Leith were cast away in Yarmouth Road, and that the passengers to the number of 36 all perished; but the crews saved themselves in their long boats.

William English, Esq. of New Bond Street, to Miss Atkins, of Barwood in Lincolnshire.

Deaths

Oct. 5 Anthony Pollett, Esq. under treasurer of the chamber to the King, and deputy comptroller of the Mint, by a fall from his horse.

Rt. Hon. the lord Ranelagh, of the kingdom of Ireland, aged about 90.

Oct. 6 Sir Charles Moore, Bart. keeper of the records in Birmingham Tower, in the castle of Dublin.

Oct. 12 Sir Richard Hoare, Knt. and Alderman of the ward of Farringdon Without, who was lord mayor of London in 1746.

Rev. Dr. Hugh Wynne, chancellor of Bangor, prebendary of St. Paul’s and Sarum cathedrals, and chaplain in ordinary to his majesty.

Mr. Jacob Powell, of Stebbing, in Essex, remarkable for his uncommon size. He approached the nearest bulk to the late famous Mr. Bright of the same county, and weighed as much within a trifle, his weight being near 40 stone, or 560 pounds. His body was upwards of five yards or one rod in circumference, and the rest of his limbs in proportion, and had 16 men carry him to his grave.